Staircase Baluster
Designed by Louis Sullivan, American, 1856 - 1924, and George Elmslie, American (born Scotland), 1871 - 1952. Made for the Schlesinger and Mayer Store, now Carson, Pirie, Scott and Company, Chicago.
Geography:
Designed in Chicago, Illinois, United States, North and Central America
Date:
1899-1904Medium:
Copper-plated cast ironDimensions:
35 x 9 7/8 x 1 inches (88.9 x 25.1 x 2.5 cm)Curatorial Department:
American ArtObject Location:
1972-225-2Credit Line:
Gift of Carson, Pirie, Scott and Company through the Art Institute of Chicago, 1972
Designed in Chicago, Illinois, United States, North and Central America
Date:
1899-1904Medium:
Copper-plated cast ironDimensions:
35 x 9 7/8 x 1 inches (88.9 x 25.1 x 2.5 cm)Curatorial Department:
American ArtObject Location:
Currently not on view
Accession Number:1972-225-2Credit Line:
Gift of Carson, Pirie, Scott and Company through the Art Institute of Chicago, 1972
Explore the Collections
This baluster, one of a set, was created as part of the highly ornamented design for the Schlesinger and Mayer (now Carson, Pirie, Scott) department store in Chicago. The first department stores in the United States opened in the 1860s and their success brought intense competition, reflected in the extravagant buildings designed to house them. Architect Louis H. Sullivan designed the Schlesinger and Mayer store, which was particularly ornate and modern. Although much of the ornament was executed by George Elmslie, one of the Sullivan firm's designers, it adhered to Sullivan's sinuous, Art Nouveau style.
